Dr Jane Martindale

Profile

I am a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in rheumatology with over 30 years of experience and was awarded a National Institute of Health Research Clinical Lectureship Post which commenced in March 2011. My current role combines extending my skills and influence as an extended scope practitioner within Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust and also increasing my research knowledge and skills as an Honorary Lecturer here at Lancaster University.

I completed my PhD at the University of Central Lancashire in 2008 entitled ‘Disease severity and psychological status in Ankylosing Spondylitis’. This was a mixed methods study evaluating disease activity and psychological status in Ankylosing spondylitis (AS). It involved an 18 month prospective longitudinal study which utilised gold standard outcome measures. There was a smaller in built qualitative component which utilised semi-structured interviews. The principle outcome of the study was the promotion of a need for a biopsychosocial approach to treatment and management of AS.

Current Research

My current research focuses on the challenges of living with AS throughout the life course. This utilises a mixed methods approach methodology with a prospective longitudinal quantitative study, semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The emphasis of the quantitative component is on newly diagnosed people with AS with the study being adopted onto the National Portfolio and has 12 centres throughout the North West of England participating with recruitment. There are also repeated semi-structured interviews of newly diagnosed people both at recruitment and again one year post diagnosis. Focus groups are also being conducted at 2 sites to evaluate the needs of older people who have had the condition for many years. This is to evaluate if the effects of ageing are making it more difficult to live with the condition as people grow older.

Research Interests

I collaborated with Dr Lynne Goodacre to form a research network of physiotherapists from the North West of England who have a special interest in AS

(ASSIGNw - Ankylosing Spondylitis Special Interest Group North West). The group has worked towards sharing best practice and have successfully completed small research projects.

I am a member of the national organising committee of AStretch which facilitates a national network of specialist physiotherapists who promote best practice in the management of AS throughout the UK. Additionally, through close links with the National Association for AS (NASS), a patient led organisation, AStretch committee members respond to questions from people with AS and physiotherapists via a linked website offering advice on a national, and on occasions international, basis. I am a member of Arthritis Research UK (ARUK) Clinical Studies Group for Spondyloarthropathies. The committee informs the research strategy for ARUK in this field and is their first Allied Health Professional (AHP) representative on this committee. I am a founding member and vice chair of the Rheumatology Forum North West which initiates study days and sharing of best practice for the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) in rheumatology throughout the North West of England.